The 2014 Indiana Governorâ€™s Conference for Women

For several years this was the website for the Indiana Governor’s Conference for Women. Content is from the site's 2014 archived pages offering a glimpse of what this convention provided attendees.

The Indiana Governor’s Conference for Women is a non-partisan event focused on education and leadership development for women. The Conference is supported by corporate, academic, media and community partners. Applications to become a partner are subject to approval by show management.

Limited table top display space is available for partners. Display space may not be used for retail sales or to promote political candidates, initiatives or lobbying efforts. Learn about partner opportunities and benefits.

A portion of the proceeds from the conference will go to support the creation of a Midwest Dare 2B Digital Conference for Young Women.

“The atmosphere at this conference was simply electric!” – Anne Mejia Downs, University of Indianapolis

“The Invent Your Future Conference is one of the most encouraging, empowering, and informative events I’ve ever attended. I left excited about the possibilities ahead in my career and personal life.” – Beth

“I was thrilled to be confronted with a room full of supportive, inquisitive, and successful women. The variety of ages and stages of the participants made it very comfortable and the quality of the presenters made it very memorable. It would be impossible to come away from this event without insight or change in your life.” – Jill

<“This conference was like getting a B12 shot of energy! One of the best conferences with speakers and content that truly was life impacting.” – Liz S.

“I’m so thrilled I attended the Midwest Invent Your Future conference. I left with a pep in my step, a great autographed book and some tools I put to immediate use–I got way more value than I paid for!” – Tiffany

“This was such a refreshing conference–an entire conference of professional women supporting and lifting each other up. It was one of the most empowering conferences I’ve attended in quite a while. It’s a must attend for me next year.” – Jacqueline Wilson, Founder, Editor, PrimeParentsClub.com

“The Invent Your Future conference was the most empowering conference I have ever attended. To be around dynamic women leaders has inspired me to courageously pursue my career goals. I have waited too long!” – Joy M.

2014 Agenda

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Our 2015 agenda is in development. In the meantime, you’re welcome to browse this sample program from our 2014 conference.

Networking Reception

Program is subject to change. Attendance in breakout sessions is first come, first served.

2014 Breakout Sessions

Our 2015 program is in development. In the meantime, browse our sample 2014 agenda or last year’s book signings and Share the Wisdom Roundtables.

Got Your Attention? How to Create INTRIGUE and Connect with Anyone

Sam Horn, CEO, The Intrigue Agency

Have you ever:

Had people not truly listen or tune out right in the middle of what you were saying?

Been unable to connect fully with someone you wanted to because you couldn’t think of what to say?

Struggled to explain why someone should work with you, refer you or say yes to you?

Had an idea rejected because people didn’t find it interesting, pertinent or viable?

Imagine never having to experience those frustrations again. Imagine being able to articulate what you care about, clearly and compellingly, so other people care about it too. Imagine being able to capture and keep the interest of busy, distracted people. Imagine being able to connect with anyone, anytime, anywhere and create meaningful conversations and connections. You don’t have to imagine it; this inspiring presentation shows you how to do it. Discover why Sam’s TEDx talk on this topic has gone viral and is studied at staff meetings around the world.

Women Who Dare

Do you dare…to move out of your comfort zone? …to make the first move? …to change the world? In this session, pioneering investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author Gail Sheehy offers a thrilling showcase of the transformative power of daring. Looking back on her own life and the lives of the bold and accomplished women she’s interviewed throughout her career, Gail reveals how daring early and often has been crucial in the success of women who work in the media, in business, politics, education, the arts, and beyond. Her captivating stories of the early daring moments of feminist icon Gloria Steinem, media mogul Arianna Huffington, PBS president Pat Mitchell, folk singer Judy Collins, Intel VP Lisa Lambert—and many more—will inspire you to take risks, conquer fears, and act with confidence. She will also be joined, in a special guest appearance, by 31-year-old British racing sensation Pippa Mann—a living case study of a woman who dares.

Disrupt Yourself®

The idea is simple, but powerful: disruptive companies and ideas upend markets by doing something truly different – they see a need, an empty space waiting to be filled, and they dare to create something for which a market may not yet exist. An expert in driving innovation via personal disruption, Whitney Johnson will demonstrate how the frameworks of disruptive innovation can apply to you: if you want to be successful in unexpected ways, follow your own disruptive path. Dare to innovate. Dream big dreams. Do something astonishing. Disrupt yourself. As the driving force behind the online marketing of a major national cleaning supplies distributor, she set standards that are still being followed by the industry long before others copied her program. In this session, Whitney Johnson will share her personal story of disruption and will teach you how powerful it can be in your evolving reinvention, both personally and professionally.

Whether your business is in the idea stage or you are seeking cash to grow, you will learn the ins and outs of achieving your financial goals. Whether it’s through crowd-funding, the venture capital route, or through friends and family, this nationally-acclaimed group of experts can help you figure out the right path for obtaining the money.

The days of following a standard career path are over. Women have more control over their careers than ever before. The challenge now is how to stand out in an increasingly competitive and global marketplace. The good news is that we all have our own unique skills, values, and passions that bring value to companies, organizations, and society. Identifying and communicating these assets in a powerful and memorable way can help you build momentum in your career. Join the panel as they share their insights on personal brand building. They will discuss what makes a great personal brand and will provide you the tools to help you build yours. Personal brand building is the foundation of the career management process taught by the Kelley School’s undergraduate and graduate programs’ career services offices.

10 Rules for Women Who Want to Lead

Women lead differently than men. There are leadership skills that come naturally to women. There are other leadership skills that men more easily demonstrate. What do women need to do to be noticed, heard and remembered in organizations that are largely populated by men? What do you need to do? If you are tired of not being noticed, not being heard and not getting the opportunities you want, then it’s time to consider what you need to change. Join Melissa Greenwell for a walk through the “10 Rules for Women Who Want to Lead” and learn how speaking up, managing emotions, giving up the guilt and other important changes will make you an effective, influential and highly valued leader in your organization.

The Stiletto Network Revolution

Pamela Ryckman, Journalist, Author, Stiletto Network: Inside the Women’s Power Circles That Are Changing the Face of Business

A movement has begun. In numbers never seen before, ambitious women are joining forces in every American city, forming dinner groups and networking circles — collaborating to achieve clout and success. Why shouldn’t more women back each other? Why shouldn’t they be banding together and tipping the scales? These “new girls’ networks” are alive and changing all the old rules about how business is done and power is allocated. In this session, Pamela Ryckman explains that while each Stiletto Network is as unique as the women it convenes, these groups do have common characteristics. You’ll hear how groups mine their collective wisdom to realize their dreams or champion a cause, and how they lift up their friends and push them forward, ensuring each woman gets what she needs — be it information, an introduction, a recommendation, a partnership, or a landmark deal.

Decoding the Mystery of Mentorship

Are you tired of going it alone? Do you have a mentor? Are you confused about what a mentor is supposed to do? What a mentee is supposed to do? Do you have allies who will advocate for you in the political landscape, otherwise known as your office? Then you won’t want to miss this session with senior executives and a serial entrepreneur to provide a guide on how to become a great mentor and mentee. You will hear about the impact mentoring relationships have had on their careers and how you can apply these lessons to your own. Finally, you will learn how technology is making finding and managing mentoring relationships easier than ever!

The Dolphin Tank

Join us for two lively sessions where several diverse businesses each give a two-minute pitch to a panel of seasoned experts who provide feedback. The Dolphin Tank is a supportive pitch session designed to provide entrepreneurs with actionable insights from the knowledgeable people in the audience, as well as experts in the venture capital industry. This isn’t about a competition for the best idea, it’s about channeling the expertise of the people in the room to provide connections and advice to help entrepreneurs take the next step with confidence. These pitch-practice sessions provide experienced or aspiring entrepreneurs the platform to deliver a two-minute elevator pitch about their idea, product, challenge or business and close with a specific request. A discussion led by the panel focuses on these questions: “What was compelling or memorable about the pitch,” “What else do we need to know that you didn’t tell us,” “How can we help?” “What connections can we make?” Whether it is a thoughtful question, constructive feedback, a new approach to thinking about the problem, or a strategic connection – we leverage the collective network and expertise to support the entrepreneurs. No sharks, piranhas, dragons or “Debbie Downers” allowed. The Dolphin Tank is a supportive, vision-expanding, light bulbs going off experience. Nothing adversarial about it.

Exact Women’s Wisdom: Lessons in Life, Career, and Love

Wouldn’t it be great if your life and career came with a handbook to help you navigate the roller coaster moments and the unexpected? After interviewing hundreds of women for their books: This is Not The Life I Ordered and This Is Not The Career I Ordered, Deborah Collins Stephens and Caroline Dowd-Higgins have compiled wisdom, action steps and advice that is exactly what you need to enjoy your career and love your life. From defining success on your own terms to living a life of fulfillment and satisfaction – learn how to create the life you want to lead. This session is a roadmap for life’s transitions. Like most women, you probably run from the minute you wake until you go to bed. Learn how to create a time and place for you: precious time carved out to work on yourself and the person you wish to become. This can push you gently into constructing the life you wish to lead. Taking personal accountability for your work, your love, and your life are the most important goals any woman can hold. A high energy and action-packed session filled with bite-sized gems of wisdom that will help you do the necessary work to create the kind of wonderful life we believe every woman can create for herself.

Women are not only opening more doors in the tech industry but they are getting ahead, negotiating raises, finding more opportunities and changing the work cultures. This panel of women with successful careers in technology will look at the challenges and opportunities as entrepreneurs, executives and individual contributors in the hottest industry in the country and share their tips and success stories from the trenches to help you navigate a creative and lucrative career.

In the Spotlight: Creating a Powerful First Impression

Sydnie Kohara, Media Strategist; Former CBS and CNBC News Anchor

Your palms are sweating, your heart is racing and you’ve got that deer-in-the-headlights stare. No, you’re not watching a scary movie –those are common symptoms of people who fear public speaking. Let’s face it; you talk to people – clients, customers and bosses – every day. And every day, you have just seconds to make a lasting impression. In this highly interactive, engaging session, communications expert Sydnie Kohara offers tips and advice gathered from more than two decades in front of the camera. She also charts her own journey from shy kid in speech class to Emmy award-winning television journalist. Learn the secrets of: